Some people today are comfortable with what they already know about God, their faith, or the Bible. But true spiritual growth doesn’t come from staying still. It comes from a heart that longs to keep learning and growing.
For every person who follows Christ, there is a strong inner pull. We have a deep desire that doesn’t go away. We want to understand God more. While we can feel joy and peace in our relationship with Him, we are also meant to want more of Him. This doesn’t mean we are unhappy with God; rather, it means we are drawn to a closer, fuller connection with Him.
It is possible to feel both content with God’s presence and yet eager to go deeper. We are called not to settle, but to keep seeking and discovering who He is.
that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death;
Southern Gospel artist Steve Ladd is wrapping up another eventful month filled with ministry opportunities, studio work, and precious family moments as he approaches the two-year mark of his return to solo artistry.
Steve Ladd · Michael Booth · Ronnie Booth The Trouble With Me ℗ 2025 Big Picture Records
Ladd spent early October in South Carolina, where he provided music for a four-night community revival series. The unique event featured services at a different church each evening, and Ladd expressed gratitude for both the spiritual atmosphere and the warm hospitality he received. “We were so blessed by not only the services, but also the hospitality of such a sweet bunch of people,” Ladd shared in his recent newsletter update.
The artist made a trip to Nashville this month for a special recording session with his son, Haven Ladd. The collaboration resulted in a new Christmas single titled “No Other Child,” set to release on all streaming platforms November 28th.
Haven, who graduated from Belmont University this past summer with a degree in music production, served as producer for the track. “He truly outdid himself on this one,” the proud father noted. Haven teamed up with Steve’s wife, Maegan, to provide background vocals for the recording.
Between travel and recording commitments, Ladd has been savoring time with his grandchildren. Recent highlights include watching grandson Odin start eating baby food and granddaughter Ari losing her two front teeth just in time for the holiday season. The family enjoyed Halloween festivities together, with Ladd sharing that the grandchildren “bring more joy than they will ever know.”
Ladd closed out the month with a trip to West Virginia, where he visited his brother Johnny. Even the family dog, Toby, was excited about the reunion, though Ladd jokes that the frequent travel may be starting to wear on his canine companion.
As he approaches U.S. Thanksgiving and marks two years since returning to solo ministry, Ladd expressed amazement at how his career has been blessed. “God has been so good to us,” he reflected, noting that supporters who pray for his family remain at the top of his gratitude list. Steve acknowledged his struggle with timely newsletter updates and jokingly suggested making more consistent communication a New Year’s resolution.
In his letter to the Colossians, Paul describes Jesus as the beginning and the first to rise from the dead in a way that gives Him first place in all things. The Bible shows that other people were brought back to life, such as Lazarus, but their return was temporary. They would face death again.
Jesus, however, was raised in a different way. His resurrection was not only a return to life but a transformation. He was given a body filled with glory and strength, a body that will last forever. Scripture calls Him the first fruit from among the dead. This means He is the beginning of something greater that is promised to all who belong to Him.
When Jesus rose, He showed what lies ahead for those who trust in Him. As He was raised with a body fit for eternity, so one day His people will share in that same kind of life. The resurrection of Christ is both a victory over death and a promise of what is to come.
But the fact is, Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep.
Romans 5:12 teaches that sin entered the world through one man, and death came as a result. This death then spread to all people because all sinned. Scripture explains that when Adam disobeyed, the whole human race was represented in him. Humanity is united in a way that God designed, so Adam’s choice affected everyone who came after him.
In this sense, all people sinned in Adam, and the sin nature has been passed down through every generation. From that moment in the garden, every person has been born under the reality of sin and death, and this will continue until God creates the new heaven and new earth.
Paul also gives a hopeful comparison. Just as Adam’s act brought sin and death to all, Christ’s work on the cross brings life to everyone who trusts in him.
For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.
Sometimes when people pray and ask God for help, they expect an answer right away. But when nothing happens for a long time, they begin to feel uneasy. Because the situation doesn’t change as quickly as they hope, they may try to take control and fix things on their own.
Some believe the saying, “God helps those who help themselves,” but this idea can be misleading. In reality, when we try to force things to happen outside of God’s timing, we often create more problems. Then, we turn to God again. This time we ask Him to fix the trouble we caused.
God doesn’t ask us to take matters into our own hands. Instead, He wants us to trust Him, obey His direction, and be patient as He works in our lives. His way may take longer, but it is always meant for our good.
Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord.
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